Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
That’s the thing about Jasper. His touch can turn from tender to punishing in the blink of an eye and without explanation.
Actually, there is a reason.
He enjoys it.
Enjoys inflicting pain.
Enjoys the terror he’s capable of rousing in someone weaker.
“What were you doing out here in the woods, Delilah? Looking for someone to fuck?” His voice fills with faux sympathy. “Has Austin already lost interest? That was fast.”
When I twist in his arms, his grip turns punishing. His fingers tighten around my throat until it’s a challenge to draw air into my lungs.
“Stay still. I don’t want you passing out on me. Where would be the fun in that? When I finally fuck you, I want you struggling, fighting me with every breath you take.”
Panic floods through my system because it’s the truth. That’s exactly the way he would want it.
He doesn’t want anything that is given to him.
He wants to fight for it.
Fight me.
“You’re a total psycho,” I grunt, chest heaving as my brain whirls, looking for a way to escape.
A chuckle slides from his lips. “Just for you, baby. Don’t ever forget it.”
Tears of frustration prick the backs of my eyes as the question slips free before I can stop it. “Why won’t you leave me alone? I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“That will never happen,” he growls, voice vibrating with anger. “You were always meant to be mine.”
“No.”
He presses his lips to the side of my neck. “Oh, yes. Did you really think for one damn second that I’d let Austin Hawthorne stand in the way of what I want?”
A whimper escapes from me as I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and try to block out his words.
“Looks like we have an audience,” Jasper whispers gleefully. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
Everything inside me sinks. By the excitement bursting from his tone, I know exactly who I’ll find. But I can’t stop myself from opening my eyes and praying that I’m wrong. My lashes cautiously lift until my gaze can lock on the muscular boy watching us from the top of a dune.
“Aus—”
When I attempt to call out, Jasper’s fingers tighten around my throat, cutting off my airway as his other hand rises to my breast before squeezing it cruelly.
“Should we put on a show?”
“No,” I wheeze.
He pinches my nipple and I gasp, trying to escape from his punishing touch.
“Mmm, that’s right. Grind against me, baby. Show me how much you want my dick,” he says loudly enough for Austin to hear.
Even from this distance, it would be impossible not to see the cold rage that flashes across his expression before he swings away, disappearing toward the beach and leaving me to battle my ex on my own.
As soon as his fingers loosen from around my throat, I gulp a deep breath of cool night air into my lungs, holding it captive for a handful of seconds before releasing it back into the atmosphere. My body sags against Jasper’s as he holds me firmly in place.
His fingers sink into the soft flesh of my breast and pain explodes within me. Unlike Austin’s touch, there is no hint of pleasure to chase after it.
“Here’s what you need to get through your thick head—you belong to me, and there will never be a time when that’s not true.”
Tears spring to my eyes.
No.
No.
No.
I don’t realize that I’m chanting the words out loud until someone says, “Let her go, Morgan!”
For a heartbeat, his hands tighten before disappearing. It takes every ounce of strength I have to stay upright and not collapse at his feet. I stagger away on shaky legs before turning to meet Duke’s gaze. Concern floods his eyes as they slide from me to my ex.
“Stay away from Delilah.”
Jasper straightens to his full height. “What’s your problem, Carmichael?”
“You. You’re my fucking problem. Now get the hell out of here before I beat your ass.”
I stumble backward, only wanting to distance myself from him. I could be on the other side of the world, and it wouldn’t be far enough.
With narrowed eyes, he grits his teeth. “You really think you can tell me what to do?”
Duke’s hands tighten as he steps toward the other boy. “Delilah has made it perfectly clear that she wants nothing to do with you. That isn’t going to change anytime soon.”
Jasper smashes his lips together and glares at Duke before his narrowed gaze settles on mine.
“This isn’t over,” he snarls. “Not by a long shot.”
I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin. “It’s been over for a while. You just refuse to accept it.”
When he takes a quick step in my direction, Duke barks, “Touch her and I’ll break your damn arm. Your QB days will be long gone.”
Jasper bares his teeth like a rabid animal before stalking away. It’s only when the blond boy vanishes into the velvety darkness that swirls around us that I realize I’m trembling from the encounter.